You know that favorite t-shirt that you want to wear every day? That wardrobe staple that, when it’s in the laundry pile, you don’t know if anything else will feel as good?
How did you find that t-shirt? It was probably a bit of luck, or maybe you tried on 30 t-shirts before finding the perfect one. What do you love about it? The color, the softness, the length? Finding a college that fits you best might feel the same.
What does finding a best-fit college mean? First, you have to define what is important to you. Is it size? Location? Cost? Academic offerings? Clubs and intramural sports? School spirit? Small class sizes? Religious affiliation? A beautiful campus with supersized dorms and unlimited chicken nuggets? It’s probably a combination of several of these factors that will ultimately feel good to you.
There are a LOT of colleges in just the United States (almost 4,000!). So, while that might feel overwhelming, it’s also really encouraging. Because out of those almost 4,000 schools, there will be many that check off a lot of boxes for you.
Speaking of you, that’s who needs to be at the front and center of these decisions. What do YOU want? You don’t need to heed your cousin who went to university on the East coast who thinks you should come join her because she loves it, nor your high school classmates who think that prestige matters more than anything else. YOU need to find your happy place.
So, how do you start figuring out which colleges are best suited to you? Start doing your research online. The pandemic has made most colleges super accessible: they offer info sessions, virtual tours, and probably more information than you could even want to know about their course offerings and programs. After looking at the source websites, head to third-party and social sites for student tours, “day-in-the-life” videos, and reviews (while keeping in mind that you are online after all, where there is plenty of misinformation and people with grudges).
If you take enough time, you will find many colleges that feel like they could fit. If you have a chance to visit before applying, that visit could really help you decide if it’s a good place for you.
While picking a college is a significantly bigger (and costlier) decision than picking a t-shirt, you want one that feels right – you will be there for four years!
Please reach out if you or your student have any questions!
